General

Saffron Finch: Native to South America and while called a finch it is actually in the tanager family. Upperparts are yellow-green, underparts are yellow. Crown is orange. Wing and tail feathers are black edged in yellow. Bill is gray on upper mandible and ivory on lower mandible. The female is more dull in color has paler underparts. Some females resemble juveniles, olive-brown with heavy dark streaks.

Range and Habitat

Saffron Finch: Introduced to Hawaii in the 1960s. Prefers lowlands that are open or lightly wooded. Native to South America outside the Amazon Basin.

Breeding and Nesting

Saffron Finch: Three to five off-white eggs, heavily marked with brown, are laid in a cavity of a tree, crevice of a rock, or under the eaves of a building. Incubation is carried out by the female for 12 to 14 days, chicks fledge at 14 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Saffron Finch: Forages on the ground for seeds, insects, and a variety of plants and will also visit backyard feeders.

Readily Eats

Seeds

Vocalization

Saffron Finch: Sings a pleasant but repetitious song of slurred whistles and chirps. Call is a metallic "tick".

Similar Species

Saffron Finch: Not likely to be confused with any other species.